LIB RARY OF CONGR ESS. 

Shelf ....25^4-7 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



TUNNING Blow 



m^dmMA^o?m-mY j^ 



IN FOUR ACTS, BY 



!.£ 



M 



L, Q. Jeffries. Esq., 



WITH CAST OF CHflRICTERS, STAGE BUSINESS, COSTUMES, 

RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE CHARACTERS 

ON THE STAGE, ETC., ETC. 



J 



/-> 






i5^^ 



i! 



8^:1 i 



wooster, ohio : 
(teo. a. Clapper, Printer. 

1880, 



v 




Entered aecording to the Act of C'oiigiess. in the yi^av 
eighteen hundred and eighty, by 

L. Q. JEFFRIES. 

In the ottice of the Lil)rarian of Congress, at the City of 
Washington. D. C. 



C(^PY RIGHT, 

1880, 
By L. q. JEFFRIES. 



Stunning Blow. 



''R^mMKfOYm-mY> 



IN FOUR ACTS, BY 



L D. Jeffries, Esq, 



WITH CAST OF CHHRJICTERS, STAGE BUSINESS, COSTUMES, RELA- 
TIVE POSITIONS OF THE CHARACTERS ON THE STAGE, ETC. 



V ^f 



wooster, ohio : 
Geo. a. Clapper, Printer. 

1880. 



7^ 



43^ 



.'2-^ 



-CAST*>0F<H]\R11CTERS> 



Jabp:z O'Niel. Dingle Black. 

William Vinton. Vera Saville. 

John Williams Saville. Clarrisse Vinton. 

George Caneield. Mrs. Fanny Vinton. 
James Darragh. 



TIZ^/illE]— 1:I3:E I'XSIESIEniTT'. 



Exits, Entrances, and Relative Positions. 



R. means Ri^lit ; L. Left ; C. Center ; R. C. Riglit of 
Center; L. C. Left of Center; M. D. Middle Doors; R. 
1. E. Rioht First Entrance ; L. 1. E. Left First P^ntrance ; 
M. D. to L. Middle Door going to the Left ; M. D. to R. 
Middle Door going to tlie Right ; D. L. Door Left ; D. R. 
Door Right ; L. if. C. Left Upper Corner ; R. U. C. Right 
Upper Corner; C. from R. Center coming from Right; C. 
from L. Center coming from Left ; C. to R. Center going 
to Right ; C. to L. Center going to Left. 



TMP96^0064C8 



-^lltSTUNNING^BLO¥^ 



Scene. — Elegantly furnished Blue Room at Viiiton Place — 
box room 'with middle doors — doors R and L — Sofa R — 
table R C — large chair L of table — Mrs. Vinton seated 
ill large chair reading book, Clarrisse reclining on the 
sofa, discovered at the rising of the cnrtain. 

Clar. \_Langiiidly.~\ Well, can 3011 i>rociire me a 
husband ? 

Mrs. V. So, my dear, you have spoken your mind at 
last, have you? Yes, I can, but my selection may not 
suit your fastidious taste. 

Clar. Let your choice have the semblance of a man, 
and I 'will be satisfied. 

Mrs. V. 1 must marry first, however. 

Clar. So, the cat is out of the bag, is it? Very well. 
The sooner the better for both. 

Mrs. V. ■ Listen to me, my dear. Observant gentle- 
men have pleased to consider me a well preserved woman. 

Clar. Well? 

Mrs. V. 1 have been told by several gentlemen of 
near my own age that I should marry again ; and as your 
father has been dead a little over two years, I think the 
same. 

. Clar. 1 wonder that you did not select some one at 
ftither's funeral. Go on. 

Mrs. V. There is only one man I care for enough to 
become his wife. 

Clar. Tell me his delightful name. 

Mrs. V. You remember how singularly successful 
iinauciall}- 3-our father wasduring the year he died, and that 



4 A STl NMN<r BI.OW. 

it was yeiy shortly hetbre his death that lie piu'ehased our 
present home. Ilis sudden demise prevented him telUng 
me somethino- whieh seemed to concern liim very much. 
He connected with the particular communication he 
desired to make the name of the person I prefer for m;^ 
second husband ; and I have convinced myself that he 
wished to request me to marry this pei'son if I married a 
second time. His name is Elias Smith. Your father was 
a conscientious man. 

Clar. \_After aliort 2n(Uiie.~\ Mrs. Fanny N'inton Smith, 
the healthful, wealthy, becoming, well preserved s])ouse of 
the notable bond cou[)on Elias Smith, Avill sound superl). 
[Laughs.'] 

[Jauez appears at m d. 

,fah. \_Aiiiivuia'in(i.'] Ml". Oeorge C'anlleld, Esquire. 
\_E liter C'anfikld ji. d. Exit Jabez m. d. to l. 

Clar. \_Wit]i()iit risiii(j.~\ Mr. Canlield, have you come 
exi)ectiug- me to accompany you in a drive as I promised? 
Is it so ? 

Can. Tiiie, true. 

Clar. 1 must break the engagement. You of course 
are delighted ? 

Can. True, true. 

Mrs. V. Be seated, Mr. C'anfield. 

Clar. Mr. Canfield has not time to sit. He will 
continue his drive alone. Will you not? 

Can. True, ti-ue. 

Clar. Ah, you truant, you know better. Y'ou will invite 
Miss Delaware Frindly. Y'ou do not need to deny to me 
that such is not your intention, since your lirst choice can 
not go. Am I not your first choice I 

Can. True, true. 

Clar. \_Rising.~\ Come, I will see you started toward 
the DelaAvare. l)on't attempt to cross her because you 
might become chilled l)y her hauteui". Isn't she a cold 
hearted mortal ? 

Can. True, true. \_Exltisi d Clakkisse twid Canfield. 

Jah. \_Wi'tlwut .] Anyway, I've broke him of kicking. 
He will uiver lift any one of his hind legs without thinking 
of the drop he got. 

\_Enter William Yi'sto^ followed by Jaijez. m d. 



A STl NMN<; BJ.OW. O 

}Vm . 1 fear that yoii have iujured the best horse I ha^'e. 

Jab. Niver fear that, Billy. He made his manners 
illeg-antly, anyway, and by this and by that I've broke him 
of his inaneness. (To Mrs. Vinton.) When yon go to 
JMr. Smith's, v.ill yon ride in the g'ig, or will yon have the 
eonp, yonr ladyship? 

Liar. \_Enterin(i m d*] Brother dear, yon should 
teach Jabez to call the chaise and the coupe by their proper 
names. His pronunciation is too vulgar for })olite ears. 

Jab. May you niver hear any worse words spoke, your 
ladyship. 

Wm. Which Mr. Smith do von intend visiting, mother ? 

Mi'ii. V. William Smith, -ibth street. 

Jab. I beg your ladyship's pardon, but 1 remember 
your telling me that yon wanted me to drive yon to Mr. 
i^^lias Smith's office this afternoon. I remimber it 
distinctly ma'am. 

Wm. I do not wish you to visit him. 1 will attend to 
any business you may have with him. and when I am 
absent Jabez will act for me. 

Jab. That 1 will, Billy, and I'll tip him a Tipperary 
boy's good morning if he don't do what she wants, to 
teach him to be obliging to a lady. (Searches his pockets 
rapidly.) I have a small bit of a letter a swate 3'oung 
lady gave to me a while ago at the big iron gate, for your 
ladyship. She was hungry, and so I took her into the 
kitchen to ate some crumbs from the rich one's table, audi 
suppose she is there now waiting for your answer. ( Takes 
memorandum book from his coat pocket and from it produces 
a. piece of folded papjer ivhich he hands to Mrs. Vinton.) 
There it is your ladyship. 

Mrs. V. \_Reads note and rises. Aside.'] No doubt 
a beggar — a saucy jade insinuating in this manner the 
right of her impecunious dignity. {Exit d k.) 

C7«r. Jabez, look well after your sweet protege now in 
the kitchen eating crumbs. My last novel is more inter- 
esting to me than are the sufferings of the poor, so I will 
attend to its inviting contents. Billy, I wish to make an 
errand boy of yon after lunch. {Exit d l.) 

Jab. Billy, I'm a poor Irishman that works hard foi' 
his jnonev, and mv heart is too tinder to refnse a small bit 



to one of the poor in need. Have von a bit to join mine 
to give to her? 

Will. ( Giving tnotiey. ) G ive her this in yonj- own name. 

Jab. May St. Patrick kape the snakes ont of yonr 
]nind always, Billy darling. It will make her heart glad 
to know of one rale hnmane man, and these live dollars 
willhilp hny her a new dress, for the one she wears is all 
ragged and worn ont altogither. 

iVm. {Going.) Well, Jabe, give her the money, and 
wish her a God's blessing for me. 

Jab. Hadn't you better say that to her yoursilf, Billy? 

Wm. No, I don't care to. {Exit l. i. e. 

Jab. If all the young min were as good hearted as 
Billy is, the poor wouldn't starve a long time. It's many 
the dollar he gives to thim. He casts his bread upon the 
waters to return in many days to him ten times as much. 
It's a pity he hasn't the pin-se of liis mother instead of 
herself. He would do a power of good outside with tliose 
who nade it, while the ould lady Iniys hersilf a bad dys- 
pepsia and a frightful nightmare, bad luck to her. If 
Billy w^as a poor boy like myself he wouldn't be long 
falling in love with the poor gal I left in the kitchen. 1 
tould the cook to sind her here when she was through ating. 
{Enter Veka Saville hesitatingly l. 1. e. 

Vera. Can 1 see the lady of the house, sir? 

Jab. You can, your ladyship. You look like a tired 
out anybody, so plaze take a sate on the ilegant sotia 
there all soft and fine and expensive. It will rest you a 
bit to feel its comfort and aise. 

Vera. You are kind to me, sir. {jSits on sofa.) 

Jab. I would like to be your frind since you seem to 
nade one in your distress that spakes so iloquently by 
your voice, your manners, and your clothes. And will 
you tell a poor Irish boy 3'our name ? 

Vera. Vera Saville. 

Jab. {Startled — uside.) By the powers! PhewM 
{Aloud — recovered.) That's a very pritty name. When 
the lady comes she wall listen to you, and give you some 
money. 

Vera. Do not mistake me, sir. I do not wish the 
ladv's monev until I can earn it. 



A STrNNIN(i ULOW. / 

^i\b. And would you like to be in the employ of her in 
doing the work of the house? Its a dale of it there is to 
do, and you look too weak like to perform it. 

\eri\. 1 wish to teach vocal and instrumental nuisic, 
and drawing and painting. 

At\h. Thin may the saints protict you here, because 
))oth the ladies sing and ]^lay to the satisfaction of their 
own conceits ; and for the iKiinting they are all one could 
wish for in the art, for they put it on pretty thick to save 
soap in the washing of their faces. Be aisy now, for here 
comes the ould lady l)y the iligence of her gintle tread. 
{^SUindfi to L. Xera rises. Enter u. k. Mrs.Xinton.) 
Your ladyship, this is the young lady that sint you the 
note. 

jMas. V. {Seats herself yrancUy in chair at table l.) ■ 
Youv note rendu (reads aloud.) ''Madam: Tlease grant 
an interview to a friendless orphan, moneyless and home- 
less." {Spoken.) What is your wish? What have you 
to say? 

Vera. I have no money nor triends, nor jjlace to shelter 
me. My father and mother are dead, and I am trying to 
earn my living. 1 can teach vocal and instrumental music 
and landscape painting, and have come to you, hoping — 

Mas. v. {Rises — internqyting. I cannot patronize 
you, so do not waste your words. Besides, your wardrobe 
is too meagre to permit you to appear decently. [_Clfers 
money.'] Take this. It is not nuich, but beggars have 
no choice of quantity. 

Vera. {Scornfully.) I have not askad 3'ou for alms. 
I am not a beggar, and I despise your offered money. I 
have seen the time when I was not compelled to ask of 
such as you the privilege to work for my living. Keep 
your money, madam. You may need the very pittance you 
now offer me in cold charity. Were I starving, I would 
not accept your money would it alone buy the food that 
would save my life. 

Jab. {Aside.) The saints bless 3'ou ! Spit it out at 
her, the ould catamaran ! 

Mrs. V. I did not intend my offer for an insult. Here 
comes my daughter, perhaps she ma}' permit you to earn 
vour nionev. 



« A STLNM>;(i BLOW. 

\_£Juter C'lakki8!?e d. l. and comes down. 

Clar. {Sees Vera.) Well, who have we here iu this 
strange looking- mortal ? {Looks at Veka through her 
eyeglasses.) Oh, I remember. She, I presume, is the 
beggar girl Jabez spoke of. 

Jab. You spake correctly for once, your ladyship. 

Mrs. V. Clarrisse, my dear, this lady desires to 
instruct you in music. 

Clar. Why, how delightful it will seem to be taught. 
Do you teach the rudiments, or the — excuse me for ex- 
pressing a thought derogatory to your (|ualification. 
Indeed it will be delightful to l)e taught by a school girl. 
{Laughs.) No, I thank you. I will excuse you from 
teaching me anything. 

\era. It would not l)e a task to teach you. 

Clar. You would ha\ e your imtience tried with me. 
But I do desire a waiting maid, and you may remain and 
serve me in that capacity if you will. You can wear my 
cast off dresses until you can earn money enough to buy 
your own. The rag you have on is simply disgraceful. 
Well, will you remain here amid luxury, or will you go 
into the streets to beg again ? 

Jab. \^Aside to Vera.^ Stay for your own sake. The 
blissed saints have brought you here. 

Vera. I — I will remain and try to do my duty. 

Clar. Then come to my room and take otf that horrid 
dress. [^Both going.'] 

Mrs. V. Clarrisse, my dear, you have not had my 
consent to retain this person. 

Clar. My wish is all that is required my dear mother. 
Come — but first tell me your christined name. 

Nera. Vera. 

Clar. A beautiful name denoting truth. Come, Vera, 
follow me to my room. Jabez, have the brecht at the 
door at exactl}' five o'clock. My new maid and I will 
take an airing. \_Exit Yyaix and Clarkisse d. l. 

Jab. \_Aside.~\ The dove is now in the claws of the 
hawk ; but bad luck to me if I don't break the wing of her 
if she don't treat her well. 

3lrs. V. \_Crossly.'] Jabez. 

Jah. [xiside.'] 1 wonder what the ould catamaran 



A STUNNING BLOW. \) 

v.aiits ncnv. By her voice she's a liar out of tune. 

Mrs. V. Jabez, I say. I want the breeht at the side 
door at exactly four o'clock. \^Goes to d. l.] Tell 
William to come to my room. \^Exits.^ 

Jab. It's a dale of hot water they keep me in, for the 
ould one won't be ba,ck till six, and thin the cliyil will be lit 
loose in the youno- one. They can haye it their own way 
for all of me. [/S7^o?'?pa?(se.] The blessed saints have 
sint the i)Oor orphan here to find a home, and a good one 
she will find it barring the jawings her mistress will o-lve 
her. 

Mrs. Y. ( Without. Will you tell AVilliam that I 
want liim at once ? 

Jab. Yis ma'm. ( Takes blank book from his pocket 
and icrites — theyi reads aloud.) ''Vera Saville, dressed in 
rags, came to-day and was emi)loyed as maid to the 
daughti'r." (Spoken.) --John William Saville." I'll 
kape mum of this, and watcli with my two eyes to see all 
that happens, and use my two ears to hear all that's said. 
You poor deserted darling, fate has sint 3'ou this wa}', and 
I'm the one to do you rale service. 

Mrs. V. (Appearing at m. d.) Jabez, why don't you 
obey me ? Where is William ? 

Jab. 1 suppose he is in his ilegant room aslape, or 
doing something of the same importance. Shall I call him? 

Mrs. V. Oh, this is too much ! Shall you call him 
indeed ! I ordered you to tell him that I wished to see 
him, several moments ago. 

Jab. I now belave you did. When shall I tell him 
you want him ? 

Mrs. v. (In a. rage.) Now, sir! Now% sir! And 
then you can consider yourself discharged from an}' fur- 
ther service here ! (Exits d. k. angrily.) 

Jab. That's the way she talks to me ivery wake. (Door 
bell rings.) That's the l)ell of the front door and I'm dis- 
charged, and can't attind it ; and I can't tell the son to go 
to his swate timpered mother liecause I'm not in service. 
(Bell rings.) Just hear the l)larney of tlie little intilli- 
gent monster. (Bell rings louder.) I suppose I must 
answer the third ring to put mysilf in place again ; and I 
can't lave the poor orphan alone with the hard hearted 



10 A STUNNTMi BLOW. 

wretches. {BeU rings furiously.) One more ring like that 
and the wire will break. I'm coming you dirty ringmaster. 
{Exit M. 1). to L.) 

EUas S. {Without, after short pause.) What's the 
matter with the inmates of this house that a i)erson must 
be compelled to i)ull down the bell wire that he may be 
heard? \_Enters m. d.] 

Jab. {Enteriuy.) TFhat's the matter with the visitors 
to this house that the bell must be rung hard enough to 
wake the dead ? By this and bv that you seem to more 
than belong here. 

EUas S. I will see that you are discharged and 
forcil)ly ejected from the house. 

Jab. I'm discharged already, sir. bv the ould lady 
you have your eye on. 

EUas )S. I will make this visit a special one against 
you, you vagabond ! 

Jab. Will you now ? It's a sorry husi )and you will 
make to her ; and swate lives you will live together, 
always exhibiting your l>ad timpers that you'll be to one 
another. 

EUas S. What do you mean by husband and sweet 
lives, you villain ? 

Jab. I always know what I say before I say it. If 
you havn't asked the ould lady to be your blissed wife, 
you'd better be doing it. {Goes toward m. d.) 

EUas S. {Passionately.) Wiiat — what do you mean, 
sir? I have a mind to strike you to the floor ! 

Jab. You have a mind to do any mane act. But my 
darling, don't be so choleric over so small a matter. 

EUas jS. You Irish divil ! I'll teach you not to insult 
a respectable old man ! {Rushes toward Jahez.) 

Jab. \_Strong.'} Stop ! \_Smith stops sudderdy k. c] 
In the name of the dead Californian remain where you 
are ! The wicked deeds of the living do not die with the 
murdered dead. Whisper. ( Whisjjers in Smith's ear — 
S7nith recoils and comes down to l. front.'] 

EUas S. \_Aside.'] Is this a horrid dream ? VVHio — 
what is this man that he seems to know so much I Am I 
tracked, found out, at last ! [Recovers.] I nuist and 
will brave it out. 



A STUNNING HLOW. II 

,]ab. If you are through spakiug to yoursilf a man of 
since will be after talking to you — \^8mi'th turns — Jabez 
romes doivn.~\ It's a deal I know about you, and the ])etter 
you treat me the less trouble I'll be to you. [CVo.sses to 
Smith.~\ Take my advice and marry the widow, for you 
had better get into the family to keep a family secret. 
It's a wise father that knows his own child, and it's a 
wise banker that knows his own mone}'. 

Elms S. \_Starts,'] I'll consider what you have said. 
Crosses to r. — aside.^ I'll be even with him for this. 
Exit R. 1. E.] 

Jab. You dirty ould villian, I've got you in my claws, 
and you feel my nails pressing into your vitals. I'm 
after you and you know it, you thaving blaggard. 

\_Enter William hastily l. 1. e. 

Wm. Jabez, I want the blacks and the light carriage 
at once. I am going for a long drive. 

Ja6. All riglit, Billy. But I say, Billy, the poor gal 
is employed by your sister as maid, and she is now in her 
room putting on some good clothes. Will you wait and 
see her? 

Wm. I am in no disposition to see an}- one ; besides I 
am in a liurry to be off. Is she pretty ? 

Jaft. Is it turning round in your disposition that you 
are to inquire after a beautiful female. Wait till vou see 
her. Billy. 

\_^E liter C'larrisse d. l. 

Clar. Brother dear, I have secured a very sweet look- 
ing girl for waiting maid, and I think I will be quite 
suited. You are not to be infatuated, for she will not 
have tune to devote in returning a like soft sentiment. I 
will introduce you. \_CaUs.'] Vera ! 

\_Enter ^^ERA d. l. .KuperbJy dressed. 

Vera. What is it, milady ? 

Clar. I simply wish you to meet 1113' brother William. 
Mr. Vinton — Miss Vera Saville. There, Vera, you can 
consider this favor an honor to be remembered. [^Gazes 
at Vera through eyeglasses.'] Why child you are really 
eclipsing. I did not fully appreciate the ])eauty of that 
dress. Y^ou shall take it off, and wear another. If you, 
Vera, were real rich, you would be wooed unceasingly by 



12 

adventurous fortune hunters. Were you ever in love? 
(Sits in large chair.) 

Vera. No, milady. 

Clar. You have not perfectly enjoyed life then. 1 
think it blissful to be in love. What do you think of her. 
brother? Is she not a worthy acquisition? 

Wm. I can only say that you must guard well your 
own laurels. 

Jah. (Aside.) The ugly thing is wiltid alieady 1»y 
the side of her. 

Clar. Oh, she cannot eclipse the moon l)y wearing its 
robes. What do you say. Vera dear, to your winning my 
laurels from me ? 

Vera. I am not ambitious ; and it is an impossibility. 

Clar. That is a wise answer. You seem to under- 
stand that I am the lady. Your position is below me. 

Vera. Can I go to my room for a few minutes? 

Clar. Yes ; and put on the last dress 1 laid out foi- 
you. I have fallen in love with the one you have on. J 
will ring when I want you. (Exit Vera d. l.) 

Wm. Now I will tell you what I think of her. She is 
superior to many ladies I know, in many ways. She is 
beautiful and seems sensible. 

Clar. Billy dear, you are in love with her already ; 
and if you improve you will be soon paying court to her. 

Jab. I wouldn't be ashamed of her in the society of 
the President. 

Clar. (Laughing.) Of course you wouldn't be ashamed 
of her, but she might be ashamed of you. I say, Billy 
dear, invite her to the opera to-night. Your new con- 
quest sitting in our box with you, will not attract a glass. 
Oh, no ! (Laughs,) I will use a lorgnette to observe your 
devotion. 

TFrn. Clarrisse, you are provoking beyond disci'ction. 
Jabe, remember my order. (Exit m. d. to n.) 

Jab. Would you like to hear a bit of news? 

Clar. If it is of any importance. 

Jab. Ould Smith is in the cabinit courting your ilegant 
mother. 

Clar. (Rises.) Are ^ou telling the truth? 

Jab. Did vou iver know of a discindant of St. I^atrick 



A STUNNINU BLOW. 13 

:iiid VVashiiigtoii to tell a lie? 

Clar. How long a time have they been together? 

Jah. For the last half hour, or less. 

Clar. ( Com en front. ) If that beggar girl should return 
Iiere, tell her — I'll tell her myself. {Goes up v. — Aside.) - 
I now ]>elieve that she is in earnest ; and if she is, she will 
ivalize that her marriage is up hill work. {Exit r>. l.) 

Jah. {Laughs.) The young one is after ould Smith's 
money, and is jealous of her mother. Its a real good time 
I have watching the two. {Bell rings. ) Another summons 
to the door for the discharged attindant. I'll serve on if 
I am out of place. {Exits m. d. to l.) 

{Enter ^Iks. Vinton and Elias Smith k, 1. k. 

Elias S. My dear Fanny, I can scarcely express my 
joy upon this occasion of the union of our hearts and 
minds. It is as I long have wished, and I hope that this 
beoiimino- will have no end. But will the children not 
object to our marriage? 

Mrs. V. Dear Elias, they will gladly receive you as 
their father. {They sit on sofa.) 

Elias S. This Irishman, what of him? 

Mrs. V, The sooner -he is out of our way the l)etter 
for us. He is a meddler, and shall go at once. 

Elias S. Thank you, Fanny. Another matter, and 
then all will be smoothe before us. Your husband, just 
before he died, desired to have an interview with me, but 
which was pi'evented by his sudden death. Had the inter- 
view taken place, it is my belief that he would have given 
into my possession a package of papers tied with a red 
cord, as those papers related only to our bank affairs. I 
now ask you, dear P^anny, to deliver the package to me, 
that I may use them in closing up the last of the tedious 
cases imi)osed upon us by our closing our bank. 

Mrs. V. I think I remember seeing such a package in 
the west room. I will search for it at once. There is 
nothing I will not do for you. [^Exit \i. 1. e.] 

Elias S. My intrigue begins to work. The old fly is 
in the web of the old spider, as it were. Let me get hold 
of those papers, and 1 will see her hanged before 1 will 
marry her. My possession of that package is my onl}' 
salvation, and until I get the damning proofs I will be in 



14 ^ A STr>'xtN(; r.Low. 

torture, now that that scheming* Irish devil seems to knoAv 
so mnch. {Mises and walks.) I must keep even })ace 
with justice and at every opportunity dispose of her minions 
to save myself. Self preservation is my first law. A 
hired vilUan will silence forever tlie Irish dog. and fire will 
consume all written evidence. 1 must not fail. Twill not 
fail! [Enter Mus. Vixtox- u. 1. e. 

Jfns. V. It is not there. I nmst have seen it some 
where else. I will searc-h for it at a more convenient 
opportunity. 

Elias S. A bad l)eginning makes a good ending. Do 
not mind, Fanny, hut if possible let me have tlie [package 
I)}' this time to-morrow. 

{E titer Clauius^k and Vkha d. l. 

Clar. 1 am too glad for contentiHl expi-ession to see 
3'ou, Mr. Smith. I have the honor, too, of presenting to 
you a new nursery flower of exquisite loveliness — my new 
maid. Vera Saville. [Smith starts.^ I thought you would 
be struck with her beauty. She was determined she would 
not meet you, but my pursuasion prevailed, as 1 wished tt) 
give your eyes a feast they have not enjoyed for many 
3'ears. There, you may kiss my liand. [He does »s'o.] That 
is not the first time you have done so, and 1 hope you will 
be free in doing so quite often. \'era dear, get me a 
chair ; Mr. Smith, so polite iK'fore he loved, is ungallant 
enough to not offer me one. [Vera places climr l. c. 
CLAmMSSE .s'it9.] My fan, \'era, from the tal)le. [Vera 
gets fan.'] Now, dear, fan me. This, mother is one of 
the luxui'ies alibrded by a maid. I knew you were here 
Mr. Smitli. You and mother have been enjoying a pro- 
longed tete in the cabinet. I would have presented 
n\yself, but mother requested me not to intrude when you 
were together. 

Mrs. V. Why. C'lai-risse. you are surely not yourself. 
You know that — 

Clar. [Internpting.'] You know that that was part 
of our agreement concerning Mr. Smith. You were to be 
married first, and then 1 was to have a husband. Vera, 
fetch me my blue em])roidered silk handkerchief; and while 
you are in my room, dust my blue mantilla. [Exit \va\\ d. l. ] 

Elias S. [Rises — aside to Mrs. \inton.~\ Then to- 



A STUNNTN(i BLOW. 



15 



morrow I shall hv here. \_To Ck(rrisse.'\ I liojx* to see 
you again very soon. 

Olar. What, going? Well, aurevoir. I will comfort 
mother. [Simitii goes toirard m. d. Jakkz and Saville 
ap2)ear at si. d.] 

Jab. Stop a bit, iNIr. Smith. You may be wanted to 
identify some one. I l)eg the pardon of all of you for 
introducing this gentleman. [To Mks. Vinton.] He 
wants to spake to you, your ladyship. 

/Sai\ [Coming forward.^ I desire to have a private 
interview with you, madam, upon a matter of secret and 
great importance. 

Mrs. V. I never grant private interviews to strangers. 

Sav. Then I will have to call upon this gentleman, 
[Pointing to Smith.] to prove that I am not a stranger 
to him at least. 

Elias aS\ I do not know you, sir. I never saw you 
before. [Ajjproarhes Saville.] Will you ph'ase explain 
yourself ? Who are you ? 

/Sav. Look me well in the face and deny seeing me if 
you can. 

Elias S. {Looks him in the face — horrified and down 
to front — aside.) My (iod ! Has the grave given up its 
dead? {Recovers and tnrns toivards Sayua.e.) I never 
saw you until now. 

Sav. {Sloirly ((nd fixing his eyes vpon Smith's face — 
((side to Smith.) You lie I (Smith recoils.) 

END ok act first. 



^f^CX ZI- 



ScENE. — Superbly furnished buff room at Vinton Place — 
Large double bay rvindow with buff satin curtains to the 
fioor — Piano u. — Tiible with books aiidboquet offiowers 
c. — Large easy chairs h. and l. of table c. — Tete across l. 
LT. corner — Box room — Pictures on the icalls — Lftrge arch- 
way hung with buff satin and white lace curtains to the 

^ fioor L. — Table across n. v. corner. 

[Enter William and Vera archway. 
Wni. The difference between our aa^es cannot be an 



16 A STU>^TftNG BLOW. 

objection. Is it that, Vera? 

Vera. No, Mr. Vinton. 1 do not mean that. 

Wm. Please, Vera, call me Vinton if you will not call 
me WiUiam. 

Vera. 1 regard you too mueh to not prefix a respect- 
ful title to your name. But if you really desire it I will 
call you William when none but us are by. upon one con- 
dition. 

Wm. [Qvirlb/.^ Name it. 

Vera That you will not speak to me upon the subject 
you say is nearest your heart, unless you have my per- 
mission, l^iroe.s to the piano and sits.~\ 

Wm. [Follow! ity her. ^ Say first that we conclude that 
subject now. W'ra, I cannot resist the impulse of m^' 
heart's best love. I love you as fondly and sacredly as a 
man can love a woman. The moment I saw yo.u I felt in 
m}' heart that 1 had met my soul's kindred being ; and try 
as I would to disbelieve it, the feeling became a passion at 
the etfort, and which now seems to consume me in its 
endeavor to attain to the joy sure to be realized by the 
longed possession of yourself. Vera darling, pity a heart 
all yours to do with as you think best for its owner, and 
for the i>eace and ha})[jiness of your own. Vera, I mean 
every word 1 say. 

Vera [^TrenmloKstf/.'] Think ol' tiie wide social gulf 
between us. 

Wm. I do think of it. I liave long thought of it, and 
the more I [)onder over the undeserved reputation of the 
uppermost social caste, as com[)ared with the purer lives 
of the less pretentious, the nearer am I ])eing converted 
to the belief that moi-e jewels ai'e found among the poor 
than among the rich. You are filling the humble position 
of waiting maid to my sister, yet you are a gem only 
needing your proper brilliant setting to make you eminent 
for yoiu' real worth among all others. Say that you will 
be my wife, and thus, darling, permit yourself to leap the 
gulf which you say lies between us. Please, Vera, say yes. 

Vera. Will you be content(Hl for the present if I speak* 
three W7)rds in your favor? 

Wm. I i)resume I must submit to the inexorable. 

Vera V nless you willingly sul unit, I will not speak them. 



A STUNNINt; BLOW. IJ 

Wm. I fully siihinit. 

Vera I love you. 

Wm. My darling I am now happy. 

Vera I, too, am very ha[)py. {Frii/hteyied.) Should 
any one have seen us I 

Wm. Have no tear of that, darling. Mother and 
Clarrisse are in the eity, and Jabez is in his room reading, 
bis position of my waiting man alone, having exalted his 
notions of life. He takes eonsiderable li])erty with my 
books and papers now. Without a fear of interruption 
please tell me something of your history. 

Vera Believing that you are entitled to know, I will. 
I was born in Sanfraneiseo, California. My mother died 
when 1 was fourteen years old — five years ago. My 
father, always fortunate in making money, aeeumulated 
eonsiderable property, and at mother's earnest solieitatiou 
sent me to a boarding sehool when I was twelve years of 
age. I graduated after my mother died, and our home 
being desolate, my father and 1 l)oarded at a large hotel. 
A little over one year ago we started for New York City, 
we intending to eml)ark for P^ngland where my father's 
parents live. Just as we were al)out to enter the ears my 
father reeeived a dispateh to come at once to his mine on 
Rapid Creek to remain an indefinite time. Telling me to 
go on to New York to ni}' aunt's on mother's side, and 
wait there for him, he gave me some money and plaeed me 
in charge of the conductor. We separated, and 1 then 
seemed to realize that I was alone in the world. I was 
very wretched during my ride across the continent. 

Wm. How long was your father detained at his mine? 

Vera I have not seen him since we separated. I 
believe that he is dead — that he was murdered for his 
money. 

Wm. Dead I — nun-dered I It does seem jjrobable. 
The dispatch was a dcjcoy. Did he have nuich money 
about liini at that time? 

Vera lie had checks and drafts and money to the 
amount of a])out three hundred thousand dollars. He 
was never cautious about carrying money, and seemed to 
take pride in telling how much he carried. 

Wm. Then darling, you are indeed alone. He was 



A STUNNINtt BLOW. 18 

led into a trap ])y that dispatch. But how came yon to l)o 
reduced to the condition you were in when you came here ? 

Yera. V\)o\\ my arrival here I learned that my aunt 
had lieen dead for two years, and I could not find the 
address of her husl)and or of any of the family. I li\'ed 
with some kind peo})le who were exceedinoly hos[)itable as 
long as my money lasted, and then — well, I took [)oo]- 
lodgings. I tried to employ myself by teaching nuisic. 
but my pupils were few, and these finally left me. My 
jewels and clothes were exhausted, and yet I tried to pro- 
cure work, and in the last stage of despair I came here. 
1 wrote many letters to my father but never received a 
reply. I have thought that his letters were received by 
the poor people with wdiom 1 lived, and opened by them to 
obtain the money they undoul)tedly contained, for I had 
told tliem of my fathers wealth. 

Wm . Xery \)yo\ )a1 )le — very proi)al )le . 

Yera Homeless, moneyless, friendless, and in rags, I 
came here, and through your kindness I have found a 
home where I have iH^m at least, contented. 

Wm. But your future life may be made hap})y. Vera 
darling, if you could enter a home possessing every com- 
fort would you not be ha})})y? 

Yera That depends. 

Y(m. If 1 were your Jiusl)and, could you? 

Yera Yes, — very happy. 

Wm. Then why postpone your answer. Say that you 
will be my wife. 

Yera I cannot — yet. Something I cannot conii)re- 
hend prevents me. That chasm between us seems so wide 
and deep. I seem to see you on its opposite precipice 
with your arms extended tow^ard me inviting me to come. 
I seem to hear your voice pleading in endearing words, 
but I cannot go to you, although I might go over upon 
the golden pathway you have laid across it. 1 grow faint 
at the thought of the ordeal I must endure and feel that 1 
would wreck your heart with my own, ])y my failure. The 
time may come wdien we can be all the world to one 
another ; but not until I can stand securely as your equal 
in social [)osition, will I even promise to become your wife. 

Wm. Then all hope is banished. 



A STUNNING BLOW. 19 

Vera No, William. Hope brightens with iny resolve. 
If my father is not dead, onr nnion is sure. If he is in his 
orave, his earthl}' possessions still remain, and will be the 
oolden stairs up which I may pass to reach your level. 
Why not seek to learn the truth? William, help me to 
di8[)cl the clouds surrounding my ftither's disappearance. 
If the result shall be that I am i)arentless ; or if ni}' father 
is restored to me, if you still love me as you now protest, 
1 will be your wife. 

Wm. Vera darling, all I have, my time, labor, money, 
are yours. Such a love as you offer in payment for so 
little service is A^ortli the risk of my life. We will plan 
and work together until our effort is rewarded with success — 
for we will not fail. 

Veni I shall be always at your side to do my share ; 
and I will try to strengthen your heart to the work by ni}' 
love. 

{Enter Jabez arcliway. 

Jah. I'm in ; and by this and by that here's a volun- 
teer into your service, so by your lave I'll promote myself 
to the p<^sition of high i)rivate in the rear rank, as the 
soldier 1)oy said whin he was mustered out with a shaved 
hi'ad to the tune of the dead march, for sthaling. 

Wm. {Sternly.) Were you hid behind that curtain? 

Jah. ' 1 was not hid. I only stood behind it while 3'ou 
made youi' last remarks ; and whin 1 heard you laying out 
a campaign, I stipt to the front to serve you, because I 
knosv the ground you would go over better nor eitlier of 
you. 

Win. Whrit do you mean? 

J(d). I mean that I can trace the matter asier nor 
either of you. for I know more of this thing than you think. 

Wm. {Sei.inq him hii the arm.) Tell me what von 
are! 

Jah. Pinch me gintly, Billy darling. I'm a man. I 
couldn't hel[) that you know, Billy. If I was a female, I 
wouldn't be serving 3'ou. 

Wm. {Firmly.) What is your real capacity here? 

Jah. I niver have had my real capacity tried ; but I 
expect to some tine day bv this and by that. 

Wm. What is vour Inisiness in this house? 



20 A STINNIN<; BLOW. 

Jab. 1 am your hired body sui'viiit ; l)ut if you will let 
me, mebby I can do some good by engaging in tJie inter- 
prise of searching for the dead man's gold. I'll work when 
you are asleep, and may startle you some time by giving 
you the trump card. 

Wm. {Aside to \vai\.) lie seems to understand our 
intention. 

Jab. It's a deal of trouble I am to you : and by this and 
by that and by your lave, I'll go to my room and writv' a 
letter in large type to my deaf mother that she may 
understand what I'm telling her. When you have any 
orders for me just sind thim u[) in style h\ tlr.' nagur. with 
the instruction to give them to me easy. {Exit arch in it/. 

Vera I l)elieve I will feel surer of succeeding with his 
assistance. He is brave and intelligent; and he has I u'- 
friended me from the moment I came here from the hot 
anger of your sister. 

Wm. I am beginning to believe that he is a mystery 
needing solution. 

Vera I nmst not remain here longer. I have duties to 
perform before your sister returns. Be careful of exhib- 
iting any preference for me in her i)resence, to prevent my 
being- turned away from the house. {Going.) 

W)n. Such an act by her would make me follow yoji — 
even to the ends of the earth 1 {Exit both qrrhicai/. 

\^E iiter Di^iiLK Black folloived %Jami:s I)AUKA(;n n. 1. k. 

Ding. It don't make no difference. You aint 
going to make me do what you want. You aint going to 
toiler me from de sta))le for nothing. You hear me. 
Ise no common niggar, and I want you to go 'way from 
here. 

Dar. Look'ee here Mr. Black — 

Ding. How you know my name's Black? 

Dar. 1 guessed it l)y your color, you black imp. See 
here. 1 aint got no time to fool away listening to youi- 
jaw, so shut up. I've come here to look for seme pa[)ers 
the boss wants ; and if I find any loose articles of jewelry, 
or an}' pocketbooks laying around, I'll just take 'em. 

Ding. Look here. You aint goin' to rol) dis house of 
any ting while dis yere nigger's 'round. You hear me. 

Dar. \_Leveling revolver.'} See here my African rooster. 



A STUNNING BLOW. 21 

,i>:et behind that sofa, and don't show your ugly black head 
above it, or I'll blow an augur hole through it just between 
the eyes. Now git, you blaggard ! [Dingle Qmich 
fricjhtened does .90.] 

Ding.^ [jShoiving his head.^ Look here. You aint 
going to rob dis house while I'm 'round. 

Dar. [Uj) to sofa.^ If you open that eavern of yours 
again, I'll stuff it full of your own wool. [Forres hhn 
down, then opens drawer in table. ~\ 

Ding. \_Aside.^ He can't scare me. I aint going to 
stay behind here. [^Po2)s doivyi as Dakragii turns.^ 

Bar. [Searching room.'] The papers aint in this 
I'oom, and there aint no jewelry here. I'll search that 
other I'oom, and the other part of the house. [Exits 
archway. I)in(;lk conies from behind sofa.] 

Ding. He don't catch me no more. You hear me. 
'[Exits \i. 1 . E. hastily.] 

[EnterMwr^. \'inton and William l. 1. e. 

Mrs. V. I am not so much astonished as I am grieved 
at your devotion to that jade. She has not been here a 
month, and you seem to have gone mad over her doll 
faced beauty. 

Wm. Is it for this that you wished to speak to me? 

Mrs. V. Partly. I wish to admonish you for your 
fault of admiring every woman possessing a pretty face, 
especially in tliis instance. Who and what is she? 

Wm. Slie is a lady worthy of any man's love. 

Mrs. V. Infatuation ! I am ashamed of you. What 
do you know of her ? 

Wm. En )ugh. 

Mrs. V. She will do to esteem — to play with. 

Wm. Why, I love her. I love the ver}' ground she 
treads. I love her passionately with my whole heart. 

Mrs. V. I'his is , nonsense. You are old enough to 
know the difference l)etween the heart and the mind, and 
I sliall hoi)e that this regard is not of the heart but of the 
brain. You shall go abroad for a while. Absence will 
let you foiget lier. 

Wm. Sei)aration will l)e misery ; and absent myself 
from her I will not. 

Mrs. V. Enough of this. I now wish to apprise you 



22 A STUNNf^ffi BLOW. 

of my intended marriage to Elias Smith. 

Wm. {Surprised — aside.) To help my cause, I must 
humour her. If she thwarts me, I will thwart her. {Aland. ) 
Is this a brief, or a long- contemplated matter with you ? 

3Irs. V. It is neither. I think I ought to marry foi" 
several reasons, although it is not necessary that 1 should 
mention them. 1 have promised him. 

W?/i. You know my opinion of the man. I do not 
like him, and never have liked him. This is your aifair, 
not mine. My lo^'e aifair is my oavu. 

jTfr.s*. V. But your choice is not of your social caste. 

W/». Caste again ! Mother, I will not hear of that 
rule. True distinction is in the heart, not in the pocket. 
Your choice has wealth, l)ut what is his character? My 
choice has all the attril)utes of virtue, l)ut no money. I 
would not exchange. {E.vits l. 1. e.) 

Mrs. V. I liave the power, my son, to stop your 
wooing, and I shall do it. What ! Bring into my family 
an outcast perhaps born of criminal parents ! Heaven 
forbid! I will separate you. {Exits k. 1. e.) 

{Enter l)AiiHA(iii archivay, cautiously. 

Bar. { Taking from his pocJcet a jwarl necklace. ) This 
will bring something handsome if its the genuine stuff. 
{Puts it ill his poeket.) I guess the people here expect 
visitoi'S from gentlemen like me. 'cause they've got theii* 
valual )les out of sight ; l)ut these pearls they forgot. {Look^ 
behind sofa.) The nigger's gone, and I'll bet my neck- 
lace he has set a watch for me at the doors. Guess I'll 
give 'em the slip. \_Goes to window and tries to open it.'] 
Them secret ketches have got me. 
\_Enter Jabez archway suddenly, and seizes DAi{UA<iii and 

throws him round. 

Jab. [iSnr])riied.] Jim Dan-agh ! 

JJar. [/Sur2)rised.'] Jabez O'Neil I \_These are spoken 
si)mdtaneonsly.~\ 

Jab. You natural born thafe of the world, I've got 
you ! [DAKKACiH attempts to draw revolver.] Drop your 
hands ! I've got you covered from my pocket. 

Bar. I'm your prisoner ; and now what are you going 
to do with me? I aint never done you any harm, and I'm 
here Just to get the architecture of the interior of this 



A STINNIXC; HLOW. gg 

house, as it were. 

Jab. You're a lyiug skuuk. You're a robber, and a 
whistle from me will bring a '"cop." But I'll let you oti* 
with the promise niver to eome here again. 

Dar. Thank you. 

Jab. Now go ! \_Points m. 1. e.] 

Dar. And you wont let any one sick the perler's onto 
me while I'm going? 

Jab. I saved your life at Danite mine, and I'll do you 
another good turn now. 

Dar. \_Go'uri.'] You did. Thank you, pard. 

Jah. Sto}). Have you got anything that don't belong 
to you, you tliafe? 

Dar. Not a thing. I couldn't find anything small 
enough to git into my p<K*kets. I'm sorry I aint, 'cause 
I'd ])e charital)le and give it back. I'm bad, but I aint 
lied. I'm ol)liged to vou, pard. (iood dav. [Exits 
\i. 1. E.] 

Diiaj. \_Withont.^^ Oh-h-h! I'm killed I Oh-h-h ! 
[lifui.^ in K. 1. E. wildly, his left cheek bloody.'] 

Jah. What's the matter with you, you Ijlack imp? 

Ding. {Brokenly.) That ])ugglar knock my teef out. 
I knew lie was in here, and he stayed so long I thought 
mel)bv he was stealing sumfin, dat I was peepin in to see, 
when he came out and knock me. 

Jah. How the divil did you know he was here? 

Ding. He make me come here from de sta])le and put 
me ahind dat sofia ; and when he went into dat room I 
jist outen dis room. 

Jah. Why didn't you tell some one he was here, vou 
black divil? 

Ding. Dere was nobody 'round to tell. 

Jah. (io down to the stable and wash your face. 

Ding. {Going.) ^e aint gwine to hit me again. You 
hear me. {Exit r. 1. e. cautiou.'th/.) 

,)ab. I'm in a quandary thinking what brought Jim 
Darragh on here. A bigger thafe nivar lived in the gold 
diggins than that same Jim Darragh, and it's a good rid- 
dance to have the S})alpeen gone. {iSits at table.) 

Clar. {Without.) Come into the music room, sir, 
where no one enters to remain without my permission. 



24 A STUNTING BLOW. 

Jab. Just listen to her. Tlie divil will be to pay thin 
if she spakes the trnth. 

{CLARiusiE, followed 62/ Saville, enters archway. 

Clar. ()ceup3' that large chair, sir, while I lay aside 
my wraps. {Sees Jabez.) I am astonished! 

Jab. And so am I. Great minds rnn in the same 
channel, as my mother nsed to say whin one of the 
children wonld chase the pig between the rows of 
praties. 

Clar. I can scarcely believe my sight {puts on eyeglass) 
that one so vulgar would dare to intrude upon my i)rivacy 
here since my positive order to the contrary. 

Jab. (Rises.) Thin belave your sinses, for they are 
not asdecavin^J" ginerally as glasses. (To Saville.^ The 
top of the afternoon to you. sir. (Offers him the cJiair — 
Saville .svY^' — aside to SAAiLLE.y) I want to spake a word 
to you. 

Sav. (To C'LAUKissE.y) Can I trouble you for a glass 
of water? 

Clar. Certainly, sir. Jal)ez, bring the gentleman it. 

Sav. Bronght by yourself it will be the more refresh- 
ing. 

Clar. I believe some gentlemen become greater flat- 
terers than they at tirst intend. However, I will oblige 
yon, — just ^o please you. (Exit archway.) 

fJab. You're a nate one to git rid of the likes of lier. 
By this and l)y that, how does she progress in winning 
your heart ? 

Sav. Slie knows me as JMr. Williams, of California, 
and — well, she is disgustingly sentimental. What have 
you to connnunicate? 

Jab. (Tailing aero f.s the table.) Old Smith and the 
old woman intind to marry; and I belave the daughter is 
jealous, and would rather have him for her hus]>and than 
for her father, nnless she can git yoursilf. 

Sav. Bah! What of Vera? I must see her soon. 
When will we be able to end this masquerade? 

J ah. Tlie laws jewelry is making. The chain of evi- 
dince is almost done. At one end is justice, and at the 
other is ould Smith wit i his bracelets on. Kaj)e sharp 
eyes about you, and wait till I sav ready. Whist? She's 



A STrXNIN(> BLf)W. 25 

t'oinino;. To prevent a catiistroplie, don't lot her call 
yonr dani>hter. (Changes his manner.) You're a funny 
one, you are. f Laughs.) I would liketosarvea rooster 
like you. 

[Enter Clarkisse icith water. 

Chir. Jabez I am ashamed of you. Such language to 
my guests is an insult to me. 

Jab. I beg your pardon, thin ; but did you hear what 
lie was saying to me, you would say mine wasn't so fowl 
as you think, I'll lave it to himsilf. 

Sav. Irishmen are naturally strange in their humours, 
and we nuist forgive them. {Takes glaas of water.) 1 
drink to your health, IVIiss \lnton — to your life as pure 
to view as is this crystal water, 

Jah. That's a gallant sentiment worth putting into a 
glass. But can I go and lave you alone with this gintle- 
man? 

Clar. (Hanghtih/.) Decidedly! {Uses her eyeglasses.) 
You, my brother's servant, can go. This is the place of 
exit. ( Up to archway.) 

Jah. I lave you without a [n-otictor to voui' innnacu- 
late character, and without an adviser to your extreme 
liigh timper, alone with a nian you will be glad to know, 
and be mad whin you do. {Exit archway.) 

Clar. His language is enigmatical 1 must confess, l)ut 
I trust you implicity sir. You Avill please overlook my 
indisci'cet exhil)ltion of illhumour toward him, will you 
not? lie is extremely provoking sometimes. 

Sac. Perha[)s you ha\e allowed him to speak without 
check. 

Clar. We have : ]»ut let us dro}) him as a su1)ject. You 
had begun to describe our box at the Opera. Pray 
continue. 

Sav. My attention was attracted more to your box 
than to the stage. What I l)eheld w^as alarmingly signif- 
cant anil beautiful. You seemed all that Avas lovely in 
woman in your satins and jewels. You.r mother looked a 
{Jrand Duchess. Her escort, the Honorable Elias Smith, 
appeared a nobleman in love; and amid the Persian dra- 
peries of your surroundings, you was resplendant. I 
came, I saw. you conquered. It was then I realized the 



2() A STINNI\(; HLOW. 

utter destitution of my lone condition, and determined to 
possess the home and its eveiy comfort justly due to me. 

Jab. {Appean'ug at archway.) May I come in? 

Clar. How dare vou ! {Aside.) One moment more 
and he would have proposed. (Aloud.) Answer me I 
How dare you enter without knocking ? 

Jab. (Entering.) I couldn't knock on the curtains 
for their likeness to yoursilf — ])eauty and softness. 

Clar. {/Sharpb/.) What have you to connnunicate i" 

Jab. Your mother and Billy are having a hiiiii old set- 
to in the library room, and Billy told me to tell you to 
come and defind yoursilf, that he had all ' he could do 
taking his own part with her. 

Clar. Your ima iination has ovei'come your tongue. 

Jab. Bad luck to me if I have told you a lie. (Exits 
angrili/.) 

Sav. You have greatly. offended him. 

Clar. Oh, he will soon get over it. I presume 1 nmst 
learn the truth of .Jabez' statement. When I return I 
shall expect you to begin whc're you left off. (Exitfi arch- 
ivay.) 

Sav. It is a relief to be freed from he)-. Were it not 
for the righting of my wrongs, I would lly from her 
detestable presence. Were it not for my daughter, I would 
let them enjoy their posessions. Yes, my daughter, you 
shall have your own ! {SJtort jjause.) So it is true that 
Smith will marry D. H. Vinton's widow. ^Vhat can be 
his motive? Humph I No matter what his motive is. Jf 
he wishes to obtain the paj>ers he is too late — too late. I 
am tired wearing this mask, and I wish 1 could end my 
work without delay. My nature disap})roves of my 
deception, but justice must be done. 

(Enter Jahez arrJuvay hasti/y. 

Jab. 1 just met your d^iughter in the hall. She is de- 
termined to lave here. It wont do any harm for you to 
meet, for we can tell her to keep still and not to know you 
until we give her the privilege. It's my advice to let her 
find 3'ou. She must not go out into the world again. I'll 
fetch her to 30U. {Exits hastily.) 

Sav, The blessed hour I ha\e [)rayed for has come at 
last. Separated by fate for months that seem as as 



A STUNNING BLOW. 27 

many years, it is joy to meet. Oil, my daughter, yon are 
restored to yonr father at hist ! 

Vera. (Withont.) (4ood, kind Jabez, say again that 
yon speak the truth. 

Jab. [ Without.'] It is indade the truth I've tould you. 

Vera Then please do not keep me in suspense. Oh, 
take me to my father I 

Sav. Her voice I It lias echoed in my heart so long. 
[\"eha enters timidhi foUoiced by Jabez. 

Vera .Ial)ez, you have deceived me ! 

Sav. My daughter ! M}- dear daughter ! 

Vera l^'j^riiKjing in his arms.] Father I Father ! 
Vou have come I You have come ! 

Sar. Yes, Vera darKng, I have come at last. 

Jab. \^Wlien eurtain half doivn — aside.] It's a pity 
tlie young catamaran couldn't see this. 

END OF ACT SECOND. 



^A^CT III- 

ScENE. — Fancy Garden at Vinton Place — Terrace and 
balcony fence witli steps C. and brilliant lamps R. and 
L. of steps — Rvstic seats R. and L. of stage — Novelty of 
baloon ascension, fireivorks in the distance — Orchestra 
nnisic in the distance — Toum clock strikes ten — Dee2^ 
stage required. 

[Enter .James Dakka(4h cautiously l. 2. e. 
Dar. I'm on time by the strike of the clock. I wonder 
what's in the mind of the boss now, that he wants to meet 
nie here afore I do the job? The last job I done for him 
got me on Blackwell for three months, and I remembers 
!iim for it, and if it's a life time I'll get even with him. 
Shoot me for a sai'dine if I don't. Something's going on 
here. I hears the music in the house, and I'd like to take 
a peep at the fine Indies and gents as is fiinging theirselves 
dizzy in the mazy dance as it were. Two men are coming 
out of the house, and — they're coming this way. I 
nnisn't let Jabe O'Neil catch me, foi' he wont let me off 
next time. I'll step aside and hear what they're talking 
of, and so's thev'll not invite me into the party. \_Exit 

E. I. E. 



28 A STINNING BLOW. 

[Eiiter Jabez and Sayille terrace sfepa and eoiae doivn . 

Jab. Yis, Billy gave ine a holiday to-night, and I'm 
taking it. 

SaA\ What of Vera? 

Jab. She's the queen of the party ; and iyery one of the 
ladies is watching her like a cat intintly gazing at the 
front door of a rat's residence. It was a hard fight Billy 
had with his mother and sister to get her into the conii)any 
as the foine lady she is. He swore that he'd lave and 
niver come back unless she was made one equal with the 
best of the fine ones, and l»y this and by that she is now 
recaving all the compliments and attintion from the gin- 
tlemen. 

Sav. Have all the guests arrived? 

Jab. No, sir ; some of the bigbugs won't come till 
eleven o'clock, just to make a buzz whin they are 
announced. The McFarran's who smell of Piinisylvania 
coal oil are that way ; and the Conovei"'s and thim, are the 
first to go home just to kape up a hullabaloo at the party. 
Whist I There's something among the shrubbery. My 
ears havi'nt lost their shai'pnc ss yet. I belave it is only a 
dog. or one of the sarvints, l)ut to make sure I'll go and 
see. [AV'/^v L. 2. K.] Haiti Howld iij) your hands, 
you snaking villain, or I'll blow off the top of your head 
with my blowing ma"hine I've got fornist you. Kai)e u[) 
your hands and march into the light while I guard you 
from harm in the back of you. March, you thafe I \_Enter 
l)AKKA(iJi, hia hands over JiLs head, folhm-ed by Jabez ^^nth 
leveled revolver l. 2. e. — Saville moves to n. c] Now 
thin you skulking divil — What I Is it you Jim Dan-agh? 

Sav. flames Darragh I 

Jab. It's him ! What are you in this garden for at 
this time of night, you blaggard? 

Dar. I came in to enjoy the i)arty from the outside. 

Jab. You're a liar. Don't you be making any motions 
toward your i)Ocket. Tp with your murdering hands, while 
Mr. vSaville [)icks your pockets. 

Dar. Is that you John vSaville ? Well, I'll be— blessed 
for a sardine if I aint got into good company for once. 

Jab. And you may be proud of it, you dirty thafe. 
Mr. Saville, just see if you can find any marbles or tops 



A STUNNING BLOW. 29 

ill his pockets. [Saville takeii from hifi jwckets a large 
knife., a revolver, a billy, a hunch of skeleton kei/s, and a 
letter — during which Jauez talks adlibitum..'] So you've 
oonie to a party prepared for eomi)any, you rol)l>er! Now 
thin sit oil that solia. [j^ointing k.] and V\\ tie you to it to 
keep you from lalUu'y oif. [_Tears a. ivhite handkerchief 
in halves and ties Daiikagh's arms to the seat.^ There 
you are uiy kiddie huek. The ladies will be glad to see 
you safe and iu full dress for the i)arty. 

Sav. [^Beckons Jahez.] The indications prove that 
Smith is at the hotcom of some serious mischief against 
us. The address of this letter is in his peculiar business- 
like penmansliip. [Both examine letter.^ 

Eli((s S. [Aj>2)earing behind DAiuiA(iii.] There! 1 
have cut you loose. P^scape, but remain in the garden. 
I'll give you a hundred dollars for that letter. [Retires — 
1)auka<;ii cautiously exits u. 2. e.] 

J(dj. Let's read it and see what he says. [(>/)e/^8 letter 
and reads' aloud.'] "Come to Vinton Place to-night at 
ten sharp. Be at the terrace steps. You must enter the 
house. Be j)rei)ared for blood. E. Smith." (Spoken.) 
The treac'iiei-ous ould tliafe of the world ! See here my 
would-be burglar — what I {Ruits to se<(t.) I tied him fast 
enough, and here are the rags I tied him with, and they're 
cut! by the horned si)oon of the sea sarpint. (Goes to 
Savii.lk.) 

jSav. This is Smith's act. He knows his unsafe con- 
dition, and is making a desperate defense. Jim Darragh 
is a tit tool, for he would take a life if well paid for it. 
We must checkmate them. 

J(dj. I'll search the garden luit I'll find Darragh ! 

Sar. Let the scou-ndrel go. He will not attempt to 
enter the house to-night. 

Jab. If lie does, lie will come to an Irish wake. (They 
go up c.) 
(Enter C'lakijissk and (t1e<>k(;e C'anfielu arm in arm c. 

frouf K. — Jai'.ez .'■iteps to l. 

Chtr. Ah, Mr. Williams, that you purposely absented 
yourself, 1 am convinced. I have watched for your appear- 
ance quite anxiously, and induced Mr. Canfield to accom- 
l)any me through the grounds with the hope that I might 



30 A STU?W1N<; HLOW. 

meet yoii. Is it not so, Mr. ('anfield? 

Can. True, true. 

Sav. You must attach all the blame to my persuasive 
cigar. 

Clar. {Piqued.) Mr. Cantield has been (]uite devoted 
however. Haven't you, Mi-. Caudeld? 

Can. True — true. 

Jah. (Aside.) (ioosey. goosey gander, whither do 
you wander?, 

Clar. (Aside to Savii.le.) Is the gentleman theiv 
your friend? Fie! for not introducing us. 

Sav. (Cros,3es to Jabkz — aside to him.) She wants to 
be introduced to you. She takes you for some one of dis- 
tinction, no doubt. 

Jab. (Aside to Savillk.) She'll break something 
whin she hears my name. (They (ulvnnce.) 

8av. Allow m.e Miss ^'inton to introduce my friend 
Mr. Jabez O'Neil. (Clahkissk disgusted.) 

Jab. (With low bow.) Your estamed brother's wait- 
ing man by your gracious lave, your ladyship. ]Mr. 
Williams and mysilf are frinds and 1 aint ashamed of 
him either. 

Clar. The shame shoukl bewith Mr. AVilliams. Should 
it not, Mr. Cantiekl? 

Can. True, true. 

Jab. (Aside — iuiitatintj.) --'I'me, true." 

Clar. I cannot understand this clandestine interview 
between you. A gentleman and a servant in no way 
related to one another found at a late hour in the darkness 
of a city garden, augurs mischief. Does it not, Mr. 
Cantield? 

Ca7i. True, true. 

Jab. A young lady and her man-poodle trollicking at 
a. late hour at night in the darkness of a city garden aftej- 
a man, is a disgrace to the man. Is it not. Mr. C'anlkdd? 

Can. (Frightened.) T-t-true, true. 

Jab. I'm tliinking you're the fool you look. 

Sav. With your permission, Miss Mnton, I will see 
you upon my return to the house. Until then, aurevoir. 

Jab. Yis, ma'am. We'll see you later. Tata. (Both 
going.) 



A STUNNING BLOW. 31 

Clar. Mr. C'aiitield and I will return at once, as we 
are afraid to remain alone in the garden, since we saw 
that hoi-rid lookino- man's face at the i)atli overgrown with 
lilac bushes. Are we not, Mr. C'anfield? 

Can. True, true. 

Jab. ]\y this and by that you were sparking in the 
dark. Are you sure that what 3'ou saw was not the 
shadow of your poodle? 

Chir. I shall report you to your master. Come, Mr. 
C'anfield, let us i)recede Mr. Williams to the house. [On 
the terrace .s^ej>.s'.] I shall ex[)ect you very soon Mr. 
Williams. I have something to communicate to you. Mr. 
C'anfield will have become tired of me b}' the time you 
arrive. Will you not, Mr. Caulield? 

Can. True, true. 

Clar. Mr. Williams. I shall be quite restless until you 
come. [Exit both u.^ 

Jab. liad luck to her. l)ut she's awfully lovesick. 

/Sav. Darragh is secreted in the garden evidently with 
the design indicated by the letter We must keep, watch 
and secure him. 

Jab. It'll be a tight place I'll put hhn in if I catch 
him. Whisper. Let us divide oursilves and take the 
garden l)etween us. [Exit both c. to r.] 

[Enter Daiiraoh r. to e. 

Dar. Jim Darragh can take care of himself, and don't 
you two forget it. 1 followed you here over a year ago, 
but I lost you. and now that I have found you, I'm going 
to have some of the gold nuggets you've got. You bet 
your last pan of dirt on that to win. [Looks off r.] I 
wish them party folks would stay in the house and not 
keep a gentleman like me a dodging them. That young 
feller's taking his gal out to cool lier otf, since dancing 
must be hot work a night like this. I don't like these 
snob parties. This is 'the first one I ever attended. Old 
Smith invited me as his pard. I must keep a sharp eye 
open for that Irishman. [Looks around cautiously .~\ 

Elias jS. [Appearing r. 2. k.] Hist ! Darragh ! 
[Comes for ward. ~\ We can talk here unmolested. I must 
liave that letter. I'll give you two hundred for it. 

Dar. Make it three and it's yours if Irisher has to join 



32 A STUNNiNG BLOW. 

his snake charmer St. Patrick. 

Elias /S. [^ Aside. ^ He has me in his power. If I 
can secure the girl I can bring- her father to terms. I'll 
doit. l^AIoud.']' Darragh, can you safely steal a young- 
lady from these grounds, with my assistance? 

Bar. If there's money enough ]>aid me for doing it. 

Mias S. I'll give yon five hundred dollars. 

Dar. Make it a thousand, and I'll take her away to 
stay. I'll marry her, and then she'll l)e as good as dead. 
Spit it out into my hand afore I change my mind. 

Elias jS. I will give 3^ou six hundred dollars. 

Dar. I've changed my mind. I wants two thousand, oi* 
nothing. 

Elias iS. Would you rob be? 

Dar. I wouldn't rob you; but I'd see you dannied 
afore I'd steal a girl, even if she was a nigger, for you for 
less. You deserted me once, and I can't forget it. 

Elias JS. IlavTMi't I always paid you? 

Dar. Yes ; but you never cared about whnt b.'cami' of 
me after I'd done your dirty work. 

Elias iS. I hired you. 

Dar. And you kept your villainous tongue still when 
1 was })unished for your crime. It should have been you 
instead of me on Blockwell. I worked fen- your money. 
Y''ou hired me to keej) dark a bloody crime you connnitted 
that would have strung you up. But I didn't peach agin 
yon, did I, say? I was the honoral)le one of us two 
villains in that lay out. I aint going to keep still the next 
time. I'll holler like a mule agin you if you don't stand 
by me. I've got the papers to send you up at a neck-tie 
party, and I'll tling 'em out. So give me the two thous- 
and for making the girl skip. That's biz atween us hon- 
orable villains. 

Elias S. I will give you one thousand dollars. 

Dar. I've changed my mind. I now wants three 
thousand, and if you don't give me three, I'll yell like a 
Digger Indian agin you, and show my i)apers. So my 
chippy, say its three, and I'm your body snatcher. 

Elias S. {attempt i)ig to draw revolver. ) I have a mind 
to shoot you, you contemtil)le scoundrel ! 

Dar. {Langhs.) But you can't. Smithy. You aint 



A ST[ NNIXd I5LOW. 33 

got your shooters. [Produces revolver.) Yon gave me 
this one wlien yon ent nie loose from the seat ; and yonr other 
one the Irishcr took from me. Hadn't you better say 
you'll give me three afore; I change my mind. 

Elias S. No ! I will do witliont the girl. 

Dar. {Going.) Do your own kidnap[)ing then. I'm 
off. You'll disgorge to me more than that anyway to keep 
me from showing the i)apers you wrote me. 

Elkfs S. Stop. [Aside.'] Vile circumstances threaten 
to ruin me. I must submit to his extortion. {Aloud.) 
AVell, I will give you the three thousand when the work is 
done. 

Dar. Pay as you go, Smithy. Never go in debt. 
Smithy. CUve me your check and I'll be satisfied. 

(SMrni ivrites checJi and IhukU to Dakkagh. 

Elias S. There, now do your part. 

JJar. {Fids check in his pochet.) All right, pard. 
When I get the money on that, I'll dress up and be a gent 
like you. Trot out your damsel and she skips into a 
matrimonial matinee, you bet. What's her name? I 
alius wants to know the name of the thing I'm to waltz 
off lively. 

Elias S. Her name is Vera Saville. 

Dar. {Aside.) Phew! She's John Saville's daughter. 
I'll make him give me ten thousand to get her again. 
{Aloud.) I thought her name sounded familiar; but it 
don't. Never heard it before. Leave it all to me. Smithy, 
;ind she wont l)other you. 

Elias S. Hist I I thought I heard a step. Kemem- 
ber, the girl first, and tlien the note. {Exit r. 2. e.) 

Dar. I •wouldn't be as mean as you, Smith}^, for a 
whole mine. It nnist be hard to l)e as big a fool as you. 
You aint fit to tend to business. Youv'e stuck your foot 
inter a trap to-night that'll end your days in a striped 
suit of clothes. I've got your money, bad papers, and 
am g<^ing to get the girl. 

[Enter Smith ha still/ and cautiously k. 2. e. 

Elias S. {Loic.) Tlie girl and her lover are coming 
this way. We will have to secure both to get awa}' with 
her. I'll get shawls for hooding. Come. The}^ are 
here. {Exit both r. 2. e.) 



34 A STUNNING BLOW. 

{Enter Vera and William c. from u. 

Vera Indeed it will be a surprise to you. aud a pleas- 
ant one ; l)ut you must be patient. 

Wni. It seems strange tbat I so fortunately situated 
as far as tbis world oc)es. sbould be as disheartened as I 
am to-iiigbt. 

Vera What can have bai)p!:'ned? You are surrounded 
to-night by brilliant friends who liave made you their 
especial mark of favor. AddL-d to thi' plenty you enjoy, 
is not this soeial distinetion suilieient to lill^ your cup of 
liappiness? — to say nothing of my love wliieh you so i)er- 
sistently, ai'dently, and suceessfuUy pleaded for. I think 
you ought to be perfectly hapi)y. 

Win, And yet 1 am not. Fitful clouds lower oscr my 
present existence. My home is not what it has been. 
Hot and angry have been the scenes ])etween my mother 
and sister and myself on your account, and there is ncnv 
extreme diflidence between us. 

Ver(( I then am a bone of cont^'ution. Indeed I am 
sorry. I will Iti' so no more. I will b'ave Vinton Place 
never to return. I will go at once. Youi- love for me 
cannot be sincere, where it is so easily saddened, (Jood- 
bye, William. I will go to-night, and alone 1 am un- 
happy now. 

Win. You shall not go alone. You shall not go to- 
night. Henceforth our lives, our souls are intertwined by 
love, and nothing shall part us. I will break the lilial tie 
which binds me to those I call mother and sister to gain a 
greater, fonder, and moiv sa;-red one. I will I'enounceall 
to be with you whom I love with a j)assion as strong as 
death. I am tired of my once h;ipj)y hoihe. aud will 
leave it, for your sake. Ihit. \'ei-a. even with all th;> un- 
happiness existing in it, there is no nec^'ssity comp.dliiig 
you to go away. Let me bear the apparent hate of those 
who should love me insti-ad. alone for a little while 3'et. 
Remain here, but show no sign of your knowledge of any 
existing illfeeling, until I speak to you again of it. Events 
may occur which may change tlrv entire arrangement of 
our house. It seems that tlu' dai'k inexorable baud of 
fate is playing at dice with our att'airs, and noiseb ssly is 
turniuu' the wheel of our d stinv. m;^asurini>: out to us sad- 



A sTrNNiN(; r.Low. 35 

iK'Ss and niiscrv to-day, and perhaps to-morrow peace and 
love. I lioj)e Vera, that this to-morrow for us will soon 
come. 

Vera I will not go away lintil you tell me to. and 
tlien — I want you to g'o with me. 

Wtii. I will ! I will ! I am free to go, 1 am not 
welcome here because I love you once an out cast, but 
now my pride and \)v\7.e I Your secret will be mine soon, 
and then we will l)e happier than we are in our present 
happiness. I^et us sit down. \^Thei/ sloivly move to l. 
Enter Smith and 1)aim;a(4II rapidly w. 2. e. I)AKRA(iri 
throws .shawl over William's head, aitd Smith one over 
Vera's head — struggle — Vera screams. ~\ 

Elias S. Do that again and I'll choke you I [He 
carries her to terrace where he is met by Saville with lev- 
eled revolver — I)arra(4H and William 'strnggling — Jabez 
rushes on l. 2. e. and throws Dari:a<;ii round to r. c. and 
holds him down. Willi a.m levels revolver at S:\htii — 
picture.'] 

Jab. I saved your black life once, let you go free of 
the law once, and as the third time's the charm, my dar- 
ling, you're in for it for kidnai)i)ing, you blaggard. 

END OK ACT THIRD. 



Scene. — Same as Act 1. — 3frs. Vinton discovered angrily 
pacing tliejioor at rising of the curtain. — Rings bell oit. 
the table. 

[Enter I)iN<iLE Black m. d. 

Ding. Did you ring de bell, missus ? 

3frs. V. Yes, 1 rung the l)ell, missus. Who gave you 
this note for me? 

Ding. One ol) de coloi-ed porters of de National 
Hotel.' 

Mrs. V. What was the nigger's name. 

Di7ig. Don't know his name. His number is 'leven. 

Mrs. V. Go and tell that nigger that I want to see 
him. Take the carriage and bring him with you, and see 



36 A sTi'Nj;iN<; blow. ^ 

that joii tell no one your errand. 

Ding. \^Aside.'] Dat am de erossest olc woman I evei- 
seed. Yon hear me. \_Exit m. \).~\ 

[^Enter C'lakhissk d. l. 

Clar. \_Ci'osHly.~\ Why are yon so angry? 

Mrs. V. \_Flmgiug note to h(ir.~\ Read t'liat ! T\\v nn- 
grateful wretch ! He has not the courage to speak to me. 
hut he must Avrite to rue I 

Clar. [Heads note <dond.~\ "My dear Fanny." 
\_Spoken,.~\ He had honey to spare at any i-at.\ [_Reads.~\ 
''1 was called away ui)on business of nnich importance on 
last eyening-, quite suddenly. I am sorry I cannot see 
yon. I am so situated that I haye no control over my 
actions or my time. Yours loyingly, Elias." [Si)ola'}i.'\ 
I do not see anything in tliis to cause you to l)e so angry 
w4th him. 

Mrs. V. {Takes note and ti^ars it.) Idol You can 
not see his perlidy. 

Clar. 1 am glad 1 cannot. Your conduct is like that 
of a silly young girl in loye. and who complains of inat- 
tention when her lover fails for live minutes to speak of 
love. You should sit all day and night in the light of his 
smiles and within the hearing ol' his sighs. Why waste a 
thought u[)on Elias Smith, a man of the world who obeys 
every woman's tlatt.'ring nod to the satisfaction of a 
detestihle conceit, and who imagines every woman he 
chooses to bestow his ghastly smiles u[)on, is in h)ye with 
him. You have l)een attracted into the web of this vile 
spider, and have permitted him to gain ovei- you a baneful 
intlu Mice which now recoils upon you by your belief that 
he is endeavoring to cast you out. 

Mrs. Y. (Sits 07) sofa.) Are you out of voui- senses? 

Clar. No ; but to observe an old woman like you fool- 
ing with the affections of s;ich a man, irritates me. 

3Irs. V. I fooling with the aif'ections of Elias Smith? 

Clar. Yes, — with the affections he outwardly seems to 
possess ; and he is dawdling with your altVctions. IL' 
does not care for you only for his anuisement. 

Mrs. V. I belieye bett.u- of him. We ar^' engaged. 
and expect to be married within — 

Clar. {Interrupting.) Do not speak any further of 



A sti:n\in(; iilow. 87 

that. It gives nio severe vertigo. Yoii are l)ut two 
graves searching for a cradle. 

3I)'s. V. I do not care what yon think of liini. Yon 
wonld have him if yon conld get him. 

CJar. I wonld not have him Avere he a (hstingnished 
citizen from the moon. 1 detest him. 

Mrs. v. Yon wonhl jnm[) at a chance hke him. Bnt 
his continned absence Irom the parlors last evening seems 
to have been ol)stinate and an intended insnlt ; and then 
in excnse of it he sends me a note believing that it wonld 
palliate the offense with me. I believe the note is a snb- 
ti^rfnge. This, and the nnbecoming condnct of William 
toward that hnssy yon took in fr-orn the streets to indnlge 
your laziness and t<^ gratify a detestible vanity. i)nt me in 
a rage. 

Clar. I desired a waiting maid, and secnred .one. 

Mrs. V. And I pay Vier her wages. 

Clar. I acknowledge it. I am going to send her into 
the streets again. She impedes my advance. 

Mrs. V. Indeed she does ; she has dinnned the lustre 
of yonr fascinations. The men were actually demcmted 
last evening. , 

CJar. Alen are fools, and the ladic^s are fast discover- 
ing it. William managed to monopolize her; and which 
caused })ecnliar conclusions regarding their intimacy. 

Mrs. \. You should have improved yonr oi)portnnity 
and displaced her from the high position she so effrontingly 
assumed. 

Clar. What could I have done? She received the ad- 
miration of all the gentlemen from the first. The disgust- 
ing, ungrateful minx, 1 could strangle her. 

Mrs. V. You have only yourself to l)lame. 

Jab. [Appearing at m. d.] Plaze allow me to intro- 
duce your distinguished frind, Mr. George Canfield, 
Esquire. 

Clar. That booby again ! Tell hira that I am out. 

Jab. He's too cunning a boy to stuff with that. He's 
daft in love with yon. He's ^^true, true." 

Clar. I will not l)e at home to him. Tell him that 
Mrs. Vinton will see him — {going. ) that I am not at home. 
[Exits D. L.] 



38 A STUNNp'(; BLOW. 

Mrs. V. I will do nothing- of the kind. [Exits \>. k.] 

Jab. (X«y/(//f8.)By this and by that the booby is not 
wanted here. I'll amuse nivsilf anyway with him. I'll 
throw him a ball of yarn. [Exits m. d. to l.] 

[Enter William and Savillk m. d. from n. 

Wm. Do not consider me wantino' in courtesy, Mr. 
Williams, because I have demanded of you an exi)huia- 
tion. 

Sav. Your position as the master here autliorizes you 
to ask or to demand of me an explanation ; l>ut. my deai' 
young friend, your good name is in no danger of being- 
injured by my reticence. 

Wm. Then for my own satisfaction, and for that of 
Miss Saville, my affianced, tell me the secret of FJias 
Smith's attemj)ted abduction of her. 

Sav. [Taking his hajid.^ William. I honor you. You 
seem the soul of honor, but I dare not tell you that. But 
I will trust you with one tiling wliicli must remain a secret. 
As man to man 1 trust you with it. My name is John 
Williams Saville, and Vera is my daught^^i-. 

Wm. Thank Heaven ! \'era has told me of the 
disj[)atch and we judged , its im[)ort. She 

must know that h^r fath-?r lives ; and 1 must tell her. 
[Goinf/.^ 

Sav. Stop. William, \'era can wait a few days yet. 
Leave it for me to apprise her of my exist nee. 

Wm. She thinks you dead. We believed that you 
were nuirdered, and had formed a plan of operation to 
I'arn the truth. Your return is all we ask. for ii[)on that, 
or upon the convincing proof of your death, depended 
our marriage. Your consent to that is all we need to 
make us very happy. 

/Sav. You have it, William. You have an eloquent 
advocate in Jabez. lie has succeeded in i)roving- your 
worth as a man. 

Wm. [Exte)idiny his hand.^ Thank you, Mr. Saville, 
I shall try to win your approbation always. But how 
should Ja})ez know of your true identity? 

Sav. I have your implied promise, William. Remem- 
ber it. [Going to m. d.] 

Wm. It will be tlie hardest task of my life to keep the 



A STTNNINC^, BLOW. 39 

knowledge of your return from Vera. 

Sav. I shall try your integrity, sir. Tpon that hangs 
the event of a wedding. \^Exits.^ 

Wm. I never have l^een imposed upon with so heavy 
yet so light a secret. (Sighs.) I wonder if I can keep 
it. 1 must. Upon my integrity hangs the event of a 
wedding — of our wedding. If I was a woman I know T 
would kee}j the socrct. At least no one but my most 
coufidcMitial friend should know of it. 

\_E liter ^Iks. Vintox u. r. 

Mrs. Well, are you recovering from your unlieeoming 
infatuation ? or. are you still devotedly attached to your 
sister's servant ? 

Wm. Motlr.'r, why do you torment me by speaking so 
spitefully of Miss Saville? You provoke me. 

Mrs. V. Your conduct of late both in regard to her 
and Jabez has been quite improper — unprecedented for 
foolishness. I discharged Jabez. and you then engaged 
him as your waiting man. 1 wished to get rid of liim 
altogetliL'r Xoy go(jd reasons. It seems that a mother has 
no rights her children should respect. 

Will. I have thoughts moj-e pleasing than those en- 
gendered by your peculiar conduct and language, to 
engage my attention. 1 am sorry to have to say to my 
mother, that, when she is in an nnamiable frame of mind, 
I do not wish to be in her presence. {Exits m. d.) 

Jlrs. V. rngratefuluess personified! What have I 
ln-ought uj) the two unfeeling creatures for? The}' shall 
obey me. {Exits u. 1. e.) 

{Enter .] ABEZ laughing m. d. 

Job. And do you hne her deai'ly, and do you v>'ant to 
marry the dear creature, says I to him. "-True, true," 
said he. {Laughs.) He's about as much of nothing as 
I ever saw. He's a fit one for the young lady. 

' (Vera is thrust in at d. l. violently. 

Clar. (Without.) Y'ou beggar outcast! Y^ou con- 
temptible disgrace to woman ! You shall leave this house 
at once, you impudent hussy ! 

Jab. (At I). L.) Yon cowardly harrigan ! If I was 
a woman for one mimite, I wouldn't lave a handful of hair 
on youi' ugly shaped head. And did she lay her hand 



40 A STUNNJNG BLOW. 

hard upon you before she pushed 30U out of her room as 
she did? 

Vera. Yes. But thank Heaven her time for doing 
that is Ijrief. 

Jab. You spake tlie truth now, darUng. Whisper. 
Your father will turn the house upside down to-day. He 
will tear off all the masks, and show the divil to be 
painted pretty black. 

Vera 1 ho})e the time wall be soon here when I may 
openly recognize my father. Jabez, I — 1 wish to tell you 
something. I wish some advice. 

Jab. Spake to me all 3'our heart contains, and I will 
hilp you all I can. 

Vera 1 have promised to be the wife of William Vin- 
ton. But what am I to do. His mother and sister are so 
cruel to me? They would make our lives very miserable. 

Jab. Treat them as if tliey were dead — forget them in 
your ha])piness with Billy. Your father nor I can not 
find a better husband than he'll make to you ; and if your 
father don't say no to you, marry him twice if it will make 
it surer you've got him, [^takes her hand.^ for he is every 
inch a man. 
[Mus. VixTON enters n. 1. e. stops, then advances grandl)j. 

3Irs. V. JNIiss Saville. where is your mistress? 

Jab. She's in her bordoir recovering from a tiit. It 
was a bad attack, and if it hadn't ]>een that she got over 
it she would be enjoying it now. She looked like an arch 
Virago in it ; and you wouldn't, belave it if I wasn't telling 
it that you have a daughter just like yoursilf when that 
bad habit comes on her. 

Mrs. V. I w^ill have you thrust from the house b}- the 
servants ! 

Jab. I l)elave you are a woman of energy and of your 
w^ord. Your daughter has just pushed the young lady 
from her room witli violence. 

3frs. V. I dare say my daughter has sufficient reason 
for giving to her a practical reprimand. 

Vera. Mrs. Mnton, 1 have endeavored to perlorm my 
dut}^ ever since I came here, and if J have failed to do so 
in any manner, I am sorry. I am not to l)e held account- 
able for last night's adventure, nor is your son — 



A STUNNING BLOW. 41 

\_Enter Clarrisse d. d. 

Clar. {Interrwptiug.) You are responsible, 3^011 de- 
ceitful thing. The acts of a finished coquette were suc- 
cessfully i>racticed by you last night, to the disgust of all 
sensible persons present, and to the perpetual dishonor to 
the name of Vinton. 

Vera. I did not allude to the compau}' so artistically 
entertained by 3'ou on last evening. I referred to the 
attempted — 

Jah. (Interrnj^fhuj — at^ide to her.) Don't speak of 
that. 

Clar. Ex[)lain your allusion. Obey me. 

Vera (Aside to Jabez.) They should know of it. 
(Aloiid.) I allude to the attempted abduction of myself 
between ten and eleven o'clock last night fi'om Terrace 
Arbor, ]>y — 

Jab. {Interrupting.) By two of the meanest villians 
you ever associated with. That you didn't find a mention 
of it in the morning papers, was because we desired to 
protect the proud Vinton riame from scandal and cinsure. 

Clar. We are under many olViigations to you. 

Jah. Oh, don't mention it. It was a kindness you 
should never forget. 

Mrs. V. I do not Jielieve that sucli an act could have 
been attempted on this avenue. 

Vera We have se\'ei'al responsible witnesses to prove 
it. 

Jidj. It was a V(MT respictable and quiet little di-amatic 
evint. 

Clar. T believe it to be but a fabrication of the brain 
of this girl who I now dischai-ge from any further service 
to me. 80 pack you]-self and your things out of this 
house as soon as possible. 

Jab. If she goes, then 1 go. 

Clar. Follow her then. You will make a fit couple of 
beggars. 

,1(76. Billy will follow us, and then we'll be turning the 
tal)les upon vou. 

Mrs. V. My son has too much pride and self-respect 
to follow such a jade. lie may be pleased to amuse him- 
self with liei', but for anything serious — bah ! 



42 A stunni:j^g blow. 

Clar. jMake your stay here as brief as possible. We 
wish to renovate the lioiise. 

Jc/6. It will be eleaiied out in a diftereut maimer than 
you think, your ladyship. Come, Vera, let us o]>lige thini 
good hunioredly, for you konw that the splindor of en- 
raged justic-e will soon startle them. \_They go to m. d.] 

Clar. CtO ! And may the outeasts from whom you 
came, make room for you among them again ! I will not 
be rivaled by a beggar who came to me in rags ! I expel 
the serpent warmed into life l)y my fostering, and wish it 
destruction. Go ! \_Exit Vera and Jabez to l.] 

Mi'H. V. Well ; — she is now adrift, thanks to you. I 
pity her. 

Clar. I pity her so nnich that I could see lieracor[)se, 
and not shed a tear. vShe has experienced my indignation. 
I struck her I \_Exit to \..'] 

Mrs. V. You are too haughty. Clarrisse, — too malig- 
nant. Poor girl ! I do pity her — a little. \_Exlt d. ij.] 

[^E liter William l. 1. k. 

Wm. I dare not seek yeva because I will be tempted 
too much to tell her im' secret. And yet she has a 
secret which makes her hai)i)y. Miiy it not be the same 
as mine? Psiiaw ! If she had seen her father she 
would have told me before this. Oh, dear I but I am 
miseral)le having to carry this heavy secret which is 
freighted with happiness. 1 wish I did not know it. I 
want to see her, but 1 am afraid of m3'self. 

l^Enter fJxBKz hastily m. d. 

Jab. (Takes ^Y ILIA AM to front. ^ Billy, I'm discharged 
by your sister, but I wont go till you tell me to. 

Wm. What do you mean Jal)ez ? 

Jab. She's discharged likewise, Billy, and she is going 
away. 

Wm. Not A^era? 

J«^. Yis. 

Wm. Jabez, tell me all. Has my sister ])eeii unkind 
enough as to send Vera out into the world ? 

Jab. vShe has. 

Wm. AVhere is Vera now? 

flab. In the west hall waiting to see you. [^Exit 
William hastily.^ Billy's flashing eyes tell tlie story that 



A STUNNING BLOW. 43 

he'll blow up that powder maa^aziiie of a sister of his. 

Here they are. 

[Enter William a7id Vera m. d. his arm aroynd her^ and 

comes dowri'C. — Jahez goes i(p l. hidhtg his face ivith 

sjjreadjivgers, and exits m. d. to l.] 

Wm. But where, darling, will you go. You must not 
meet the world's coldness again. 

Vera i have experienced the world's bitterest rebuke, 
and I go this time knowing wliat I must receive. 

Wm. I will he with you, darling. We will go together. 
We will firmly meet life trusting in one another's love. 

[Enter Mrs. Vinton d. r. 

3Irs. V. Relieve that outcast hussy ! I am ashamed 
of you my son. If this were known to the outside world 
there would be no end to the scandal it would create. 

Wm. Scandal cannot result from what you have just 
witnessed, for the world will soon know tlie relation we 
are to one another. 

3Irs. V. You are not — mlu-ried? 

Vera No, Mrs. N'inton. 

Mrs. V. Then you must be his — 

Wni. [Interrupting and strong.^ Do not utter another 
word implying dishonor. 

Vera Mrs. ^'inton, 1 never thought to have to give 
you the credit of expressing that im})utation to me. You 
have said much against me which I did not resent, but I 
now return this last with double the I'orce with which you 
gave it ! 

Win. She does right in Hinging into your teeth the 
slander. Sh<' will be mv wife. Now what have von to 
say ? 

Mrs. V. Your v.ife I 

Wni. Yes, my wife. 

Mrs'. V. Have I reared you to have you bring dis- 
grac<* ui)on me. ujjon'us all, by choosing a wife of doubt- 
ful family, whose record is that of a shameless outcast? 
It is an insult and I will not submit to it. I would rather 
see you dead than married to one so far beneath you. 

Win. I have made my choice fi'om love. I know 
enougli of her history to [)rove to me that she is worthy 
of the love of a better man than I. 



44 A STUNM?v<; i>i^<>w. 

Mrs. V. 1 kuow nothing of her oiilv what I have 
observed. Like all m\ sterious persons she nuist have a 
history which is l>elieved by those Itlinded by lo\'e. 
Wtn. Mother, why are you so unkind to hw't 

Mrs. V. Do not call me mother. The time for you to 
thus address me has closed. You art- my son no nioi-e. 

Tl'm. You cast me otf because — 

3Irs. V. \_InterniiJtimj.'] Because you ase not my 
son, I took you from a pauper's home when you were 
two years old. 

Vera. No, no, no. not that I not that I 

Wm. \^xinKried.~\ A Pauper's Home 1 

Mrs. V. Your father was a drunkard and a thief; and 
your mother a — 

Vera. \_Tnterruptin(i.'] No, no, no. no I Oh. have 
mercy ! 

Wvii. I do not believe it: and disbelievui^ it, I would 
rather l»e what •! really am, than your son. for you have 
broken my heart, an<l have robbed me of tiie only woman 
1 ever loved — robbed me of \'era ! \_Sobs (dond.~\ 

\era. No, William. 1 am yours dou])ly now. 

Win. [liecovering.^ Thanks, Vera, for that assur- 
ance. Come, let us leave this })lace. Let us leave her 
once a mother to me, l>ut who now casts me out of lier 
heart as one too loathesome for her lonji^er association. 
Let us leave her to remember alone what she and J have 
been to each other. Farewell. Mrs. Vinton. Farewell — 
mother I [Exit Vvaik futd William m. d.] 

Ifrs. y. What have 1 done ! What iiave 1 done I 
William I William ! My son I Come back I Come 
back ! l^Falls info chair at table. Enter Clahkisse d. l. 

Clar. What has caused your excess of feeling? 

3Irs. V. [^Becovers.^ Like you with Vera, I have 
turned William from my doors. 

Clar. It is just like vou to permit your temper to 
master your reason. Did you have an entertaining- scene? 

Mrs. V. I was indisereet ! I was mad ! I told him 
th a t — ( h es ita tes . ) 

Clar. Well !— told him what? 

Mrs. V. That he was not my son. That I took him 
from a Pauper's Home when he was two years old, and 



A STUNNING I'.LOW. 45 

thfit his fjitlier was a dniiikard and a thief. 

Qlar. Ycni nnfcohiio- woman ! You ha\'e (h-iven liini 
away with that hussy \^era SaviUe — with a thief! 

Mrs. y. What do yon mean? 

Clar. Sh(? has taken witli lier my pearl necklace. I 
dare not arrest her on account of entanglin*)- William in 
the charoe. I would like to bring down the minx to her 
proper level. 

Mrs. V. She may not have gone. Send for her, and if 
her conscience is not moss grown, she may restore it. 

Clar. ' {Rings hell on table.) I'll make her restore it! 
\_Enter DiN(iLE Black k. 1. ?:. 

Ding. Did you ring, missus? 

Clar. Tell Miss Saville if she is in the house, that I 
want to see her here immediately. {Exit Dingle m. d. 
passing Jaukz ivJa) enters.) 

Jab. Your ladyship, before we take our departure 
from your illigant }n*esence. I am requested to deliver you 
this. {Produces necklace.) 

Clar, Miss Saville I i)resume sent it to me because she 
was afraid 1 would miss it, th(^ thief. 

Jab. Don't call her out of her name. She niver had 
the necklace. She does not know that it was gone. — that 
it was stolen from your room. 

Clar. Then you return it as the guilty one. 

Jab. 1 know who did steal it. It was taken from a 
thief and vagabond named James Darragh by me last 
night wluMi we arrested him and Elias Smith for trying to 
abduct Vera Saville. 

Mrs. V. I don't believe it. P^lias Smith is not guilty 
of such meainiess. 

Jab. Isn't he? lie is now in charge of an officer and 
waiting for the sintence. 

Mrs. V. I will not believe it. 

Jab. You're a true woman to stand by him. 

Clar. This explains why he wrote you tliat letter. 

Mrs. V. {Going.) I'll see for myself. 

\_Enter Dingle B. m. d. 

Ding. Can't find her no whar, missus. {Exit \i. 1. e. 

{Enter Saville m. d. 

Sav. You will please pardon me for appearing so un- 



46 A STUNNIJTG BLOW. 

ceremoiiionsly. I came in uiiaiiiiounecHl because I am in 
my own house. 

Mrs. V. Sir ! 

Sav. In explanation of my words 1 have a connnuni- 
cation to make. 

Jab. Make it aisy because they're shook up. 

Clar. I can not find words to express my astonish- 
ment, Mr. Wilhams. 

Sav. My name is John Wilhams SaviUe, and Vera 
SaviUe is my daughter. 

Mrs. V. and Clar. Saville I — your daughter!- 

Jab. The name is so pretty that you have to repate it 
in astonisliment. 

jSav. Pk^ase ring fc^r her, Miss Vinton. 

Clar. \^Confi(sed.^ She is — she is engaged at pres- 
ent. You will have to excuse her. 

Jab. You've sint her away. Billy has gone with her. 
by your ladyship's motherly discharge of him. 

Mrs. V. I know nothing of either of them. 

/Sav. Dece})tion will not do with me. 1 have a per- 
emptory duty of a serious nature to perform, ett'ecting bit- 
terly both of you. 

3Irs. V. How, sir, can anything you may do concern 
my family? 

Sav. Jabez, try the magic of your touch upon the 
bell. [Jabez rings bell upon table. ~\ 

Jab. There's a great deal of attraction in my fingers. 
\_Enter P^lias SMrrii sloidy m. d. 

Sav. About sixteen months ago 1 was knocked down 
in the private office of the l)ank of Smith & Vinton, and 
robbed of half a million dollars. Kememl)er your i)i-om- 
ise, P^lias Smith. 

Ellas S. 1 gave him a blow upon the head with a 
chair, and we laid him at night on the alley pavement 
thinking that he was dead. Mr. Vinton and 1 divided the 
monc}' equally, Vinton taking home with him a package of 
papers tied with a red cord. 

Sav. Those papers are yalual)le only to me, and in 
any one's posession liut my own, would be evidence of 
crime. 

Jab. I got the package in the chest in the west room. 



A STUNNING RLOW. 47 

your ladysliq). 

Mrs. V. This is liorril)le I horribk' 1 You miserable 
wretch, you ought to hang ! 

Clar. I knew he was a villian. 

Sav. Restitution has l)een made. Mr. Smith has re- 
stored to me all, even this property, which has iK^en 
enjoyed by I). H. Vinton's family under the impression 
that the title was in ]Mr. \'inton. 1 have the deed for it. 
Mrs. Vinton you have your l)ank account unharmed. You 
nmst vacate Vinton Place at once. 

Jiib. We wish to renovate the house. 

Mrs. V. I will c(^ntest your title, sir. 1 will not be 
imposed upon. 

Elias S. P^anny — 

3Irs. V. Don't Fanny me, you detestible wretch. I 
will not be I'obbed. I will assert my I'ights. 1 dare him 
to liis proofs that my husband attempted his life. 

Clar. What proof have you, sir, of my father's com- 
plicity in such a heinious crime, l)ut the evidence of the 
atrocious villian, Elias Smith? 

Jab. {P rodnri }ig p((pe rs .) riei'e is the straw that will 
break your back. Here is the confession to the crime 
written l)v Daniel H. ^'inton. March Sth. 

Mrs. V. That is the date of liis death. 

Jab. You're correct, your ladyship. 

Clor. Where did you find that pai)er. 

Jah. I discovered it in the toe of the right slipper of 
the pair he wore last. I presume he slipped it into it to 
kape it near his sole. An honest confession is good for 
the soul. 

Sav. .Ia))ez. t-'ll my daughter that I wish to see her 
here . 

Jab. I'll ring the bell. She is used to it. {Three 
taps of the bell.) That's the same summons her mistress 
called her by. • 

\_Eiiter Vera and William m. d. 

Sar. My daughter, you have served here as servant, 
serve hereafter as mistress. You, William Vinton, I ac- 
cept as \\\\ son, at your own request. 

[S:mith exits m. d. unobserved. 

Jab. Billy. I wish you would dischai'ge me. I got into 



48 A STUNNING^ r.LOW. 

3'onr employ only to help Mr. Saville in his little ati'air : 
and besides, Billy. I have a mine I must look after. You 
wouldn't belave that I'm a rich man, would, you. Well, 1 
am. Mr. Saville and I are old friends. ! eame with him 
to this city, and whin he didn't eome baek for siveraldays, 
I got- track of him at Omaha, and followed him hack to 
our old eam[) where we both have bonanzas. I hnd him 
doctored, ;ind took care of his business, and when he oot 
well we came on here, and the first thing I did was to 
blarney you u\). whin you im})loyed me. Tiiat was all I 
wanted except the papers I got afterwards. 

Wm. You were a mystery to me. but I now under- 
stand why you were impudent at times, [^aside to N'kua.] 
What I have heard is of so hori'ible a nature that I do not 
know how to act toward my mothei" and sistei'. They 
seem so crest fallen by the terrible revelation, that I pity 
them. All my filial love rushes upon me with such force 
that I am impelled toward them. I nnist speak to them. 
[Veka cutd William ((pjn-odch them:] 

Mm. V. My son still ! Foi-i>i\'e me I Forgivi' me I 
\_He clasps hei' in his arins.~\ 

Clar. \_To\vA\\.] Can you forgive me? I have been 
so cruel. P^orgive me I [\^kha kisses them — a pistol shot 
heard ivithout — all startled — Jahez and Wwaaa^i hastily ex- 
it — all go tip to M. i>. — enter William and Jauez snpport- 
ing Elias Smith whose right temple is bloody, and place 
him on sofa, hastily p)l<(ced c. by Saville — enter (iEOH(iE 
Canfieli). 

Elias 8. [With great e fort.] I could not live and 
l)e known the wretch I am. The woi'st is not half told. 
Tell Darragh — [pain.] 

Jab. He is past being tould. He was shot dead by a 
policeman while attempting to escape. 

Elias S. Then my letter in his posession will — [pain.] 

jScw. I have all the i)apers found upon his person. 

Elias S. Burn them — even the chi'ck. ( With strong 
effort.) Mr. Saville. it is my dying wish that you receive 
the reasonable value of this i)ropertv, out of my estate. 
All else I am possessed of it will and bequeath to William 
Vinton, whose true name is William Curtis, whose parents 
I robbed and ruined. {Severe pain.) Fanny, {to Mrs. 



A STI NXINO I5LOW. 40 

VixTON.) forgive me. I — I — 1 die confessing- tliat I 
poisoned your husband. Pardon — pardon — (Cr>-oans, and 
falls back dead. — Mrs. \'inton sinks to the Jioor r. of 
Smith. — Clarrisse, witli her hands over her ears^ and ivith 
horrified, countenance runs to m. d — Vp:ra clings to Wil- 
liam and Saville r. — Jabez kneels beside Mrs. Vinton.) 

Jab. Mrs. Mnton is dead. (William rvns to Mrs. 
Vinton, when Clarrisse ivaves him mviiy.) 

Cl^r. {Strong.) She is not dead! She has only 
swooned beeanse this wretch (Pom^.sfo Smith.) has proved 
false to her in his love, and confessed himself a murderer 
of my father — her hus])an(l ! (Laughs.) Shells not 
dead! This is ])nt pretense, from which I shall Imng her. 
(Seizes Mrs. Vinton a)id is about to shake her roughly, 
when J xiiKZ and W II A A XM interfere.) Away! If she is 
dead, murder has l)een done! (Dazed.) Murder — mur- 
der — dead — dead I ( Comes down to Vera and Saville. ) 
Who are you? 1 know — I know. (Backs slowly from 
them., turns and sees S^htii and Mr.^. Vinton.) Who are 
they — dead! — murder! (Falls l. of S:\iiTn — Canfield 
goes to her — William and Vera go to Mrs. 
Vinton — Jabez and Saville get to n. in. front.) 

Suv. This is an unexpected ending. 

Ja6. A stunning l)low given to you. lias taken its own 
revenge, (slow curtain — music.) 



the end. 



W^arning Notice. 

Any person oi* |)er8<)ns prodiu-inii- this play without 

my written consent, will be prosecuted l)y nie to the full 

extent of the Inw. 

The Author. 




L^fR^RY OF CONGRESS 

■n. 

016 103 674 2 ♦ 




